Hello fellow travelers!

One of the biggest things I hear from people who want to travel more is, “I just don’t have the time.” Between full-time careers, responsibilities, and busy schedules, it can feel like exploring the world needs to wait for a different season of life — maybe someday when work slows down or after retirement.

But I have never wanted to wait.

Travel has always been a major part of who I am, and I’ve made it a priority to build a life where exploring the world is possible alongside my career. I believe you don’t need unlimited time, endless vacation days, or the perfect circumstances to experience incredible places.

With thoughtful planning, curiosity, and a willingness to make travel a priority, you can create meaningful adventures one vacation day at a time.

Where My Love for Travel Began

My love for travel started when I was in middle school and took my first big international trip to Kenya with my parents.

That experience opened my eyes to a world beyond Chicago. I was able to experience different cultures, landscapes, traditions, and ways of life that were completely different from what I knew. It sparked a curiosity in me and gave me a greater appreciation for the incredible diversity of people and places around the world.

That trip changed the way I viewed travel.

After that experience, the travel bug never went away. My family continued exploring together, traveling to different destinations throughout Europe and beyond. Those experiences gave me a foundation for understanding the world and showed me how much there was still left to discover.

As I got older, I realized travel was not just something I enjoyed — it was something that shaped who I was.

Creating My Own Adventures

When I started working full-time in the corporate world, I knew I wanted to continue traveling. I enjoyed my career, but I also knew that my job alone was not going to be the only thing that fulfilled me.

Travel was a huge part of my identity, and I wanted to continue making space for those experiences.

One of the things I loved most about becoming an adult traveler was having the ability to design my own adventures. I could choose destinations that interested me, create my own itineraries, and experience places in a way that matched my interests.

One of my first major trips that I planned after starting my career was Greece. I traveled with a group of other young adults, but I arrived without knowing anyone.

It was exciting, nerve-wracking, and empowering all at the same time.

That trip showed me that I could step outside my comfort zone, meet new people, and create incredible memories even when I was starting an adventure on my own.

From there, I made it a goal to take at least one to two international trips each year.

Travel Gave Me the Confidence to Explore Independently

While Greece helped me realize I could create my own adventures, one of my biggest confidence-building travel experiences came during my study abroad experience in China.

Living on my own for two months, navigating a new country, planning my own excursions, and figuring out transportation, language barriers, and unfamiliar situations showed me what I was capable of.

I remember thinking:

“I can actually do this.”

I explored different parts of the country, planned experiences that interested me, and learned how to embrace the uncertainty that comes with traveling somewhere completely new.

That experience changed the way I viewed solo travel.

Instead of seeing traveling alone as something intimidating, I started seeing it as an opportunity for independence, growth, and confidence.

For more about my solo travel experiences and lessons learned, check out my post: Solo Female Travel Tips: How to Travel Alone With Confidence & Embrace Adventure

Why I Don’t Want to Wait Until Retirement to Travel

I have so much respect for people who begin traveling later in life, and I hope everyone gets the opportunity to explore the world when they are ready.

But I have also realized there are certain experiences I want to have while I am physically able to fully enjoy them.

Some adventures require long walking days, hiking, endurance, and the ability to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s exploring a city from morning until night, taking on challenging hikes, or experiencing adventures in remote destinations, I want to embrace those opportunities while I have the energy and ability to do them.

As a solo traveler, I also realized I didn’t want to wait around for the perfect travel companion.

If I waited until someone else was available for every destination I wanted to experience, I might miss out on opportunities that are available to me today.

Sometimes the best time to go is when you have the confidence, curiosity, and ability to make it happen.

How I Make Travel Work With a Full-Time Career

While my career is an important part of my life, I have learned how to make travel fit alongside it.

My company currently offers unlimited PTO, but I still approach my time away thoughtfully. Unlimited PTO does not mean unlimited availability — I still have projects, deadlines, responsibilities, and commitments to my teams.

For my larger international adventures, I usually plan several months in advance.

Typically, I plan one major international trip during the first half of the year and another during the second half. Since my industry often staffs projects in cycles, having those dates planned early allows me to communicate my availability and balance my responsibilities effectively.

My international trips are usually one to two weeks long, which gives me enough time to experience a destination while still maintaining my career commitments.

For smaller domestic trips, I am more flexible and work around my schedule. There have been times when work demands were higher or a longer trip was not realistic, so I chose a shorter adventure instead.

For example, I enjoyed a fantastic trip to Montreal over a long weekend: 4 Days in Montreal Itinerary: Food, Things to Do & A Taste of Europe in North America

The important thing is finding a balance that works for your current season of life.

My Travel Planning Process

Planning is honestly one of my favorite parts of traveling.

There is something exciting about knowing an adventure is officially on the calendar and having months to look forward to it.

Sometimes the anticipation and preparation are almost as exciting as the trip itself.

When choosing my next destination, I consider several factors:

1. My Bucket List Destinations

I always keep a list of places I want to experience. This helps me stay inspired and gives me ideas when I am ready to plan my next adventure.

2. Time of Year

Weather, crowds, and pricing all play a role in my decisions.

I consider what type of experience I want and whether the destination will be enjoyable during the time I can travel.

3. How Much Time the Destination Requires

Some places can be enjoyed in a few days, while others deserve more time.

I want my trips to feel meaningful, not rushed.

For example, destinations like Australia and New Zealand are places I would love to visit, but I know they deserve more time than I can realistically give right now. Instead of forcing a rushed experience, I am saving those destinations for when I can truly enjoy everything they have to offer.

4. The Type of Experience I Want

Some destinations are easier to experience independently, while others may benefit from a group trip or organized experience.

I consider what type of trip will allow me to have the best experience.

How I Prepare for My Adventures

Once I choose a destination, I love researching and planning the details.

I usually start with resources like travel blogs & videos, TripAdvisor, and other planning tools to understand:

• How many days I need
• The top experiences
• The best time to visit
• Transportation logistics
• Local recommendations

I also use AI tools to help organize ideas and create a starting point for my research.

From there, I build detailed itineraries.

I start with the essentials:

• Flights
• Hotels
• Tours
• Reservations

Then I add:

• Restaurants
• Activities
• Neighborhoods to explore
• Experiences I do not want to miss

I usually create detailed Excel itineraries because I love having everything organized before I leave.

However, I always leave room for spontaneity.

The best trips have a balance between structure and flexibility.

During my Japan trip, for example, I intentionally left some days open to simply explore neighborhoods, walk around, and discover whatever caught my attention. Explore more about my solo Japan adventure: 5 Days in Tokyo Solo: Itinerary, Food & First-Time Visitor Tips & Japan & South Korea Cruise Guide: Port Highlights, Excursions & Travel Tips

Some of those unplanned moments became my favorite memories.

Preparing Early Helps Me Enjoy the Experience More

One of the biggest benefits of planning ahead is that it allows me to fully enjoy my trips once I arrive.

Some adventures require extra preparation. Safaris, hiking trips, and outdoor experiences may require specific clothing, equipment, medical appointments, or additional planning.

Having months to prepare means I can arrive feeling confident and ready instead of stressed about everything I forgot to do.

The goal is always to be fully present and enjoy the experience.

My Advice for Other Busy Professionals Who Want to Travel More

If you are waiting for the perfect time to travel, my biggest advice is simple:

Book the time first.

Put the vacation on your calendar. Get it approved. Make the commitment.

Even if it is only one week right now, having that time set aside is often the hardest step.

Once you know when you are traveling, you can choose a destination that fits your schedule, budget, and interests.

Do not let work completely take away the things that bring you joy.

For me, travel is one of the reasons I work. My career allows me to financially support these experiences, but travel also gives me balance, perspective, and memories that last far beyond a work project.

Your career is one part of your life — it does not have to be your entire identity.

Final Thoughts

Travel does not have to wait until retirement.

It can happen alongside your career, responsibilities, and everyday life.

Whether it is a two-week international adventure, a weekend getaway, or exploring hidden gems in your own city, there are always opportunities to discover something new.

Travel has shaped who I am. It has taught me confidence, independence, curiosity, and appreciation for the incredible diversity of the world around us.

That is the heart of Chi Girl Meets World — exploring the world, discovering new experiences, and making the most of every vacation day along the way.